Baseball data gathering device

ABSTRACT

A hand-held baseball data gathering and manipulating device is used by coaches and scouts to analyze and coach pitchers and players. The device includes functions for tracking and analyzing pitching performance and for tracking and analyzing playing performance of players other than pitchers. Stop watch functions are also included.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general art of data gatheringdevices, and to the particular field of data gathering device used inbaseball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sporting contests require accurate recordation of the events thattranspire during the contest. A significant statistical record is oftengenerated in a single athletic contest. Accurate record keeping oftenrequires an experienced skilled individual and a significant effortduring the contest. The final outcome of the contest is determined byrecord keeping or scoring and an evaluation of the contestantsperformance is accomplished through analysis of the statistical record.Historically a scorekeeper who has considerable knowledge of the contestis utilized to perform the necessary recordation and statisticalcompilations.

Traditionally, scorekeepers for various sports have kept track of thescore of a game as well as numerous additional statistics related tovarious aspects of the game on specialized score sheets. These scoresheets contain sections for recording the appropriate events of the gamesuch that elaborate statistics may be compiled following the game, oreven as the game progresses. These statistics may relate, not only tothe specific game being played, but may also extend to an entire playingseason or part thereof and may highlight trends relating to a particularplayer, team, or other category of game related-statistic.

Conventionally, it was normal to fill all the baseball game data in adata sheet made of paper, so-called baseball game scorebook, and torecord the baseball game data while the game was in progress.Unfortunately, it was not possible to extract desired informationinstantly in a usable form when it is needed.

Therefore, there is a continuing search for new and innovative methodsto enhance the performance of athletes to their highest level. The useof “radar guns” to measure the velocity of a pitched baseball is anexample of a recent application of technology. However, its use has hadonly a minimal impact upon the training and perfection of pitchingability.

The goal of the pitcher is to deliver a baseball at a high velocityacross the plate within the strike zone, but in the strike areas wherehits occur less frequently. In pitching strategy, the pitcher attemptsto avoid a hit by creating variations of velocity, movement of thebaseball, and location of the baseball as it penetrates the strike zone.The most difficult effect to accomplish with reliability is variation oflocation of the baseball as it penetrates the strike zone. It isbelieved that the majority of baseball pitchers learn the art ofthrowing to a specific location only after they lose their ability tocontrol velocity or movement or both. There is a need, therefore, fortraining apparatus which can be used by a baseball pitcher to improvehis performance in pitch delivery and placement.

There is much data that goes well beyond merely ball and strike count.For example, most known counters, such as used by umpires and the like,have no provision for denoting the particular “inning,” which oftentimes involves dispute from failure of the umpire to recall the numberof innings remaining.

Yet a further of the shortcomings of presently available devices arisebecause such devices have no provision for tracking a pitcher's pitches.If it is possible for a team scorer or pitcher to know the kind of pitcha particular batter can use to hit a home run, then he can gain aconsiderable advantage over that batter if and when the pitcherconfronts the batter in a future game.

On the other hand, if it is possible for a batter to know the strongestpitches of a particular pitcher and study the pitcher's pitching motionin the form of still pictures or videos, that batter can then gain anadvantage over that pitcher.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that can accurately andefficiently record a great deal of data, beyond a mere record of ballsand strikes, relating to a baseball game.

While computers and the like are available for recording statistics,such devices are often cumbersome, delicate and difficult to use.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that can accurately andefficiently record a great deal of data, beyond a mere record of ballsand strikes, relating to a baseball game and which are easy to use.

Another goal of scouts and coaches is to have accurate data related topitcher delivery times, catcher pop times, and base runner times.

Therefore, there is a need for a device that can accurately andeffectively record throwing and running times, related to a baseballgame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by ahand-held device that will record data associated with a baseball game,including, but not limited to: pitches, pitch count, types of pitches,number of strikes and balls thrown, percentages, times, throwing times,running time, and the like. One form of the device can be used bycoaches for pitchers and other forms can be used by scouts and coachesfor everyone else. The device also functions in a stop watch mode soplayers can be timed as needed for analysis an coaching and scouting.

Using the embodying the present invention will permit coaches and scoutsto keep track of all pertinent statistics for players so performancescan be quickly and easily evaluated for teaching or scouting purposes.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention willbe, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, likereferenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a baseball data deviceembodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of another form of a baseball datadevice embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the presentinvention is embodied in a hand-held baseball data gathering andmanipulating device 10. Device 10 comprises a housing 12 which has afirst surface 14 that is a display surface when the housing is in use, afirst wall 16 which is a top wall when the housing is in use and asecond wall 18 which is a bottom wall when the housing is in use. Astrap 20 is attached to second wall 18 of the housing.

A display screen 26 is located on first surface 14 and can be a LEDscreen or the like. A plurality of function buttons are located on thehousing. Each function button is associated with a circuit and a memorychip. The circuits and chips are well known to those skilled in the art.The details of the circuits and chips are not important to thisinvention and as such will not be described or claimed.

The function buttons include a plurality of strike buttons 30 eachstrike button being associated with a particular type of pitch, such asa fast ball 32, a curve ball 34, a change up 36 or other type of pitch38. A plurality of ball buttons 40 with each ball button beingassociated with a particular type of pitch. A reset button 42 is locatedon wall 16, and a cancel button 44 is also located on wall 16. A pitchcount display screen 46 is located on surface 14.

Each time a particular pitch button is pressed, the pitch countincreases and the display on the display screen 26 is updatedaccordingly. The cancel button will allow a user to change the input asneeded and the reset button will clear all data from the device. Asecond version of the device 10′ is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises ahousing 60 having a first surface 62 that is a display surface when thehousing is in use, a first wall 64 which is a top wall when the housingis in use and a second wall 66 which is a bottom wall when the housingis in use.

A strap 70 is attached to second wall 66 of the housing. A displayscreen 80 is located on first surface 62. A stop watch function 90 islocated in the housing and operates in the known manner. A plurality offunction buttons 100 includes a first button 102 to select whether apitcher or a catcher is being tracked, a second button 104 to selectwhether a catcher is being tracked, and a third button 106 to selectwhether a runner is being tracked.

A reset button 110 allows the device to be cleared and a cancel button112 clears the last entry in the event of an error or the like. Adisplay 114 displays average times and is connected to suitablecircuitry in the housing. Additional reset buttons 116 are alsoconnected to the circuits in the housing.

In the pitcher's split mode, the first touch of the control buttonstarts the pitcher's time, the second touch ends the pitcher's time andstarts the catcher's time and a third touch will end the catcher's time.If there is no third touch within five seconds after the second touch,the watch function will not record catcher's time. Pitcher time, catchertime and total time will be displayed.

Button 104 is of the catcher's mode. This mode will calculate just thepop times of the catcher, if the pitcher's times are not needed. Thedevice will also average pitcher and catcher times. The average timesare displayed on screen 114. Button 106 will allow the device tofunction as a normal stop watch to record runner's times. The resetbuttons 116 will reset the last display on one touch and reset all ontwo touches.

Two versions of the device are contemplated. In a pitching coachversion, the device can display four types of pitches including curve,fastball, change other, the number of strikes and balls thrown, thepercentage of strikes for each pitch type thrown, the total number ofpitches thrown during a game, during warmup, balls thrown to holdrunners, and the like. In a scout form of the device, data tracking apitcher's throws to home, catcher's pop times to second base, andrunners' times, and the like can be stored and manipulated.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of thisinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except inlight of the attached claims and their equivalents.

1. A hand-held baseball data gathering and manipulating devicecomprising: A) a housing having a first surface that is a displaysurface when the housing is in use, a first wall which is a top wallwhen the housing is in use and a second wall which is a bottom wall whenthe housing is in use; B) a strap attached to the second wall of thehousing; C) a display screen on the first surface; D) a plurality offunction buttons including (1) a plurality of strike buttons, eachstrike button being associated with a particular type of pitch, (2) aplurality of ball buttons, each ball button being associated with aparticular type of pitch, (3) a reset button, and (4) a cancel button;and E) a pitch count display screen.
 2. A hand-held baseball datagathering and manipulating device comprising: A) a housing having afirst surface that is a display surface when the housing is in use, afirst wall which is a top wall when the housing is in use and a secondwall which is a bottom wall when the housing is in use; B) a strapattached to the second wall of the housing; C) a display screen on thefirst surface; D) a stop watch function in the housing; E) a pluralityof function buttons including (1) a first button to select whether apitcher or a catcher is being tracked, (2) a second button to selectwhether a catcher is being tracked, (3) a third button to select whethera runner is being tracked, (4) a reset button, and (5) a cancel button;and F) a display for average times.